Steelcomp relies on Löfs for powder coating
The greatest benefit for us has been the improved quality of powder coating and the consistency of our deliveries.
Timo Viitanen
Director of Production and Development
Steelcomp
Steelcomp is a contract manufacturer in the metal industry that employs just over 100 people, with facilities in Kauhava, Vaasa, and Vähäkyrö. With annual revenue of 25 million euros, the company specializes in the manufacture of demanding thin- and medium-gauge sheet metal products and assemblies, such as sheet metal parts and welded structures. Most of its production is ultimately exported, but its main customer groups are also found in the Finnish market.
The need to improve quality in powder coating
Timo Viitanen, Director of Production and Development at Steelcomp’s Vaasa facility, has been with the company since 2017 and has a total of more than 20 years of experience in contract manufacturing. According to him, before beginning its collaboration with Löfs, Steelcomp had significant quality issues with the surface treatment of certain products, which led the company to seek a new partner.
“To be frank, we had a lot of quality issues with powder coating when working with our previous partner. The situation was such that we had to make a drastic change quickly, as there was also intense pressure from our customers to improve quality,” Viitanen explains.
Steelcomp decided to have Löfs test certain products, and following the test coatings, the company became convinced of Löfs’ ability to provide high-quality surface treatment and its capacity to meet Steelcomp’s needs.
“We went to visit Löfs’ facilities in Luoto. We saw with our own eyes that this is a company with large production facilities and sufficient capacity, which was important to us. We quickly became convinced that Löfs can definitely keep the goods moving.”
The collaboration with Löfs ended up getting off to a truly explosive start, as virtually the entire production was transferred to the new partner over the course of a single weekend.
Ongoing and flexible cooperation
The collaboration between Löfs and Steelcomp has grown over the years and has become an integral part of Steelcomp’s ongoing production process. Löfs often serves as a surface treatment partner, particularly for powder coating, but also handles wet painting and galvanizing, for example, whenever necessary.
“When it comes to powder coating, we’ve been working together from the very beginning. In addition to our standard production, we also have project-based products, and Löfs is often our partner for those.”
Steelcomp particularly values Löfs’ consistent powder coating quality and delivery reliability, as well as the way Löfs responds to emerging challenges and development needs.
“The biggest benefit for us has been the improved quality of the powder coating and the consistent quality of deliveries. If problems ever arise, Löfs addresses them immediately, and they’re always willing to make changes and improve their operations,” Viitanen says.
High-quality finishes tailored to the customer’s needs
Steelcomp manufactures a wide variety of components, some of which are located in highly visible areas of its customers’ end products. In such cases, the appearance of the painted surface is of the utmost importance. Steelcomp has found a partner in Löfs for powder coating—a partner that understands this need and is able to deliver a consistent and visually high-quality finish.
“Our products are often prominently displayed in our customers’ final products, so the appearance of the painted surface is an important factor. Löfs has high standards in this regard, and their painted surfaces meet our visual requirements,” says Viitanen.
However, high-quality surface treatment also requires the manufacturer to make its own efforts. For Steelcomp, it has been important to ensure that the preparatory work on the products and the material to be surface-treated are such that the end result is always the best possible.
“We have to do our part to ensure that the pieces are well finished so that the painted surface looks good. We’ve also received tips from Löfs, for example, on certain finishing techniques that improve the quality of the final result.”
Supply Reliability as a Foundation for Contract Manufacturing
Delivery reliability is one of Steelcomp’s most important criteria, as precise schedules play a key role in contract manufacturing projects. Löfs has been able to meet this requirement, and delivery reliability is closely monitored through the actions of both parties.
“Naturally, delivery reliability is of the utmost importance in contract manufacturing, and we are satisfied with the current level. This has worked well with Löfs, and mutual monitoring helps us keep quality and schedules under control,” says Viitanen.
Environmental and safety considerations as key elements of cooperation
Steelcomp considers environmental issues, occupational safety, and chemical safety to be of the utmost importance and ensures their implementation through supplier audits.
“We consider these issues to be very important and audit our suppliers regularly. Löfs has taken environmental and employee safety seriously, and it’s great to see that they’re taking responsibility in this area as well,” says Viitanen.
Open collaboration and development will ensure competitiveness well into the future
According to Viitanen, Steelcomp values Löfs’ ongoing development efforts and flexible range of services, which add value to the partnership. By centralizing powder coating operations with Löfs and leveraging their service portfolio, Steelcomp has been able to streamline its surface treatment management. At the same time, Löfs’ ability to be flexible as needed has been an important competitive advantage.
“Löfs has responded well to our requests and expanded its capacity, for example, to handle products that it was previously unable to process. This ongoing development helps both of us remain competitive.”
According to Viitanen, Löfsi can be warmly recommended to companies looking for a high-quality and reliable surface treatment partner. The open and solution-oriented spirit of the collaboration has been an important factor for Steelcomp throughout the partnership.
“I would recommend Löfsi as a surface treatment partner that is dedicated to meeting customer needs and operates reliably. They have a strong track record of delivering quality, and even when problems arise, they are handled quickly and in a constructive spirit,” Viitanen sums up.
